264 SKY. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



in the centre ; being nevertheless irregular, and containing 

 sinuosities, rather than valleys, which conduct its waters 

 in small streams into the sea on each side. Almost the 

 only wood that grows on the island is found in this 

 district ; the ash flourishing on both declivities of the 

 promontory wherever the course of a stream through 

 some small valley or ravine affords it shelter; and occu- 

 pying, together with birch and alder, (the trees most 

 congenial to these islands,) larger tracts on the western 

 side near Ord, where the perishing remains of a wood 

 once considerable are to be seen. 



The flat tract above mentioned, into which the ridge 

 of Sleat subsides, extends but for a short space in the 

 same direction, which is north-easterly ; rising again 

 quickly into a second and more elevated ridge consisting 

 of five united mountains ; and thus intersecting the 

 otherwise continuous high land of the south-eastern 

 shore, by one deep indentation. On the eastern sides, 

 these mountains descend by rapid declivities into the sea ; 

 while, on the western, they subside more gently into a 

 low and narrow tract that extends from Broadford to 

 Kylehaken. The elevation of this group does not appear 

 to fall short of 2000 feet, and it is conspicuous among 

 the hills of Sky, not less from its actual height and mass, 

 than from the low tract by which it is insulated from 

 the surrounding country. Notwithstanding the inter- 

 ruption here mentioned, these hills must be considered 

 as forming a part of the ridge of Sleat, since their com- 

 ponent rocks are not only similar, but are disposed with 

 an unaltered continuity of direction. 



The prevailing rocks of the whole ridge from the point 

 of Sleat to the Kyle rich,* are, red sandstone, argillaceous 

 schist, and quartz rock, accompanied by a body of gneiss 

 and by other substances of which the details must be 

 referred to the geological description. 



'* The swift strait a very expressive term : incorrectly, though gene- 

 rally, Kyle rea. 



